Paul Merson raves about Tottenham star Erik Lamela despite Arsenal defeat

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Despite his Arsenal loyalties, Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Erik Lamela’s goal for Tottenham in Sunday’s defeat is one of the best he’s seen in the Premier League era.

The Argentine opened the scoring with a scrumptious rabona having only come onto the pitch to replace the injured Son Heung-min in the 19th minute.

Of course, Lamela’s goal proved to be in vain, with Martin Odegaard and Alexandre Lacazette scoring to earn bragging right for the red half of North London.

Lamela was later sent off for a second yellow card, capping a bittersweet afternoon for the 29-year-old.

The £80,000-a-week performer had done well this season and Merson raved about his goal after Sunday’s fixture.

He told Sky Sports: “It’s up there with the best, it was an unbelievable finish.

“The way he has hit it – it hasn’t bobbled in, it’s drilled into the corner. It was a phenomenal finish.

“It was a really special goal.”

TBR View: Lamela must strive for consistency

With Son set to miss the weekend’s game, it won’t do Lamela any favours being out suspended.

It would have represented another chance for him to stake a claim for a place but he must now sit out.

Lamela has the quality but the challenge has always been producing the goods on a more frequent basis.

In 250 appearances he has scored 36 goals and claimed 47 assists and he must strive for more consistency.

If he can add that element to his game, he could become a more permanent fixture in Mourinho’s plans.